Flashers prove a hazard for alleged Kingsport burglars

A pair of Kingsport men drew police to their alleged burglary of a city business early Friday morning, leaving their car's emergency flashers activated just outside the scene of the crime.

At 1:45 a.m. a patrol officer observed a Ford Escort parked along East Stone Drive, approximately 20 feet from the property of Clayton Manufactured Homes. A Kingsport Police Department arrest report says the hazard lights were flashing with two men standing at the rear of the car.

Randy G. Head, 39, of 250 Rimer Road, and James L. Arnold, 23, of 512 Swadley Road, allegedly told police they had stopped due to a "popping noise" in their vehicle. A female was reportedly sitting in the driver's seat of the car.

While speaking with the trio the officer allegedly spotted a large LCD TV approximately 10 feet away, lying in the grass along the road. Police records state a second officer would soon find a display model home on Clayton's property had the door kicked in, prompting a call to the business manager.

The manager responded to say the TV, valued at $1,000, had been stolen out of the display home. Further statements from Head and Arnold reportedly confirmed they had kicked in the door and taken the TV.

Each were arrested, charged with burglary and booked into the city jail.